Thesaurus results for SLING

Q: How is the word 'sling' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast , fling , hurl , pitch , throw , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: When is 'cast' a more appropriate choice than 'sling'?

The synonyms cast and sling are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When might 'fling' be a better fit than 'sling'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling , fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When would 'hurl' be a good substitute for 'sling'?

Although the words hurl and sling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: Where would 'pitch' be a reasonable alternative to 'sling'?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When can 'throw' be used instead of 'sling'?

The words throw and sling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm. // can throw a fastball and a curve

Q: When could 'toss' be used to replace 'sling'?

The meanings of toss and sling largely overlap; however, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

sling 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of sling next

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below sling a hammock between the trees

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sling

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈsliŋ

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm slinging stones at the fence post

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How is the word sling distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is cast a more appropriate choice than sling?

The synonyms cast and sling are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than sling?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When would hurl be a good substitute for sling?

Although the words hurl and sling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

Where would pitch be a reasonable alternative to sling?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can throw be used instead of sling?

The words throw and sling are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

When could toss be used to replace sling?

The meanings of toss and sling largely overlap; however, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sling

Verb

Barbaro entered, leaving the motor running, carrying a rifle slung over his shoulder and another one under his arm, a bolt action high-powered .30-06, a 12-gauge shotgun. —

Sally Ventura june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025 During his sparse minutes with the senior team, Kawamura showed flashes of crafty creativity, slinging passes behind his back and over his head without a glance in his teammate’s direction. —

Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 Nichols slung her guitar over her neck and walked over to the horde outside a barricade to sing the chorus to one of her songs. —

Bryan West, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 In a post at Strong Language, a blog focused on the linguistics of profanity, Sergeant mused on potential emoji translations of insults slung at then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a 2016 visit to Scotland. —

Longreads, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sling

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“Sling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sling. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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Last Updated: 31 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

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